How We Train at WildWinters

Summer Training

Here at WildWinters, we spend countless hours training our Siberians so that they can perform to the best of their abilities. We employ proven methods to bring out their best. Remember, Siberians can be a stubborn breed and challenging to train. Lots of patience and a sense of humor are necessary when working with them.

Should you be interested in more information of how our dogs are kept and trained, or interested in learning how to train your own team, check out our comprehensive database for training methods, tips and tricks.

This area is still under construction. Please be patient as things may move, or links get broken. I will add more as I think of them. If you have any recommendations or topics you would like to see covered, e-mail me, and I will try to post as quickly as possible.

*The Dogs - Everything about keeping them happy*

1. 5 Steps to a Healthy Happy Dog Yard

2. WildWinter's Kennel Layout

3. Building a team

4. Basic dog care

5. Build your own doghouses

*Equipment*

1. All about sleds and brakes

2. How to make WildWinter ganglines

4. Sled too expensive? Build you own...

5. Stretchy necklines: An idea I rather like, but have yet to try

*Training*

1. 911: Attempted Suicide : how not to train sled dogs

2. Fall and Winter: Conditioning Our Dogs at WildWinters

3. Where to Train: A note about trails and how to use them

4. Skijor Training : This kennel also offers ski-jor training sessions. They are located about 2 hours north of Edmonton.

5. Harness breaking pups

6. How we train lead dogs (including our Leader Program)

7. The fine tuning of a good team

8. Training : Everything and Anything you will need to know

9. Teach your dogs to PULL: geat resource for lazy dogs and "quitters"

Laser masters 'hold'

Commands all our dogs must know (for our safety, of course)

1. Hike --- translates to "go". Sleddogs seem to know this command from birth. We do not say 'Mush" because it is a soft command and it is hard to yell and make heard above a bunch of howling dogs.

2. Whoa ---- translates to "stop". This is probably the most important command. Must be said in a low and relaxed voice. If it is yelled, it is usually mistaken for "Go" and opposite of the desired reaction occurs. Teach your dogs whoa. No go is bad, no stop is worse :)

3. On-by ---- translates to "straight through" or "ignore it". A solid on-by will make for successful passing as well as getting past certain obstacles like roadkill.

4. Gee --- translates to "turn right 90 degrees". It is important that the leaddog knows what this means if you want to go in the right direction.

5. Haw --- translates to "turn left 90 degrees". It is important that the leaddog knows what this means if you want to go in the right direction.

6. Hold ---- translates to "pull the line tight and stay still". This is useful for when hooking up dogs alone and you don't want the leaders turning the team around. Also desirable when you need to leave your team in one area for an extended period of time. Synonym: "line out"

7. Gee/haw over ---- translates to "move to the right/left". This command allows you to move your team off the trail to allow another team to pass; also allows you to get your team on the right side of the road if you run on rural gravel roads.

8. Come Gee/haw --- translates to "turn the team around to the right/left" (180 degrees). Great if you have a large team and you take the wrong trail and need to turn around without leaving the sled.

9. Easy --- translates to "slow down without stopping". Great for racing and training your dogs to pace themselves.

10. Pick it up ---- translates to "speed up". Great if you are racing and need to pass someone or finish hard. Also to direct a lazy dog to begin pulling immediately. Synonyms: "Get up" and "Let's go home" or a kissing sound.

Check out the sleddog quiz below to test your knowledge

Think you're ready to sled? Take this short test and find out>>>(pdf**)

Monique Heinz | Site 65 RR4 Box 9 | Sherwood Park, AB | T8A 3K4 | PH# (780) 914-1023

E-mail: wildwintersiberians@ gmail.com

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